“Digital Britain ” still has questions to answer

Plaid Cymru MPs and AMs have responded to today’s Government report on ‘Digital Britain’, by calling for greater clarity in plans for the future of broadcasting and broadband in Wales .

Plaid Cymru’s spokesperson for media, culture and sport, Adam Price MP challenged the Minister by repeating calls for a properly funded, independent Welsh media commissioning service.

Reacting to news that the Government is planning three pilot funding mechanisms for news and public broadcasting, including one in Wales , Plaid’s Adam Price said:

“We need greater transparency in the Government’s plans for this scheme.

“The National Assembly’s advisory body on broadcasting estimated that around £50million would be required to fund an Independent Welsh media commissioning framework.

“Last week’s report by the Assembly’s communities and culture committee said that at least £25million would be needed. I have pressed the Minister for an answer as to how much will be available and I will push for a prompt response. There simply must be enough money to get the job done.

“The Government’s targets for broadband speed are not ambitious enough for 21^st century Wales either.

“Plaid has repeated calls for the Government to consider 5MB per second as standard rather than the 2MB target that they have published. This can only be achieved by solving problems with ‘not-spot’ areas and ensuring that rural access to web services are on a par with urban areas.”

Bethan Jenkins AM, Plaid’s Assembly broadcasting spokesperson, added:

“Local programming plays an essential role in maintaining a healthy democracy in Wales . Welsh audiences need to be able to see their own lives and culture reflected in the media. They need to be kept informed of what is going on in the democratic institutions that represent them.

“The London government needs to come up with solutions that safeguard Welsh programming both in terms of news and non-news.”